Chicago Cubs News: Several roster moves expected on Friday

The big news on Thursday for the Chicago Cubs was that the team will be promoting first base prospect Matt Mervis to the Major League level on Friday ahead of their weekend series against the Miami Marlins on Friday.

The news comes after the Cubs went 1-6 on their recent road trip against the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins. Five of those six losses for the Cubs were by one run.

The team has yet to officially announce the move as that will come prior to Friday afternoon's game and the expectation is that third baseman Edwin Rios will be optioned to Triple-A Iowa as the corresponding move.

"Edwin Ríos, a left-handed hitter who’s received only 25 plate appearances so far this season, is expected to be optioned to Iowa as part of the shake-up. "

Patrick Mooney via The Athletic

Rios lacked any form of consistent playing time to begin the season that would have allowed him to get into an offensive routine. In 25 plate appearances, Rios is slashing .100/.280/.300 on the season with 1 home run.

There was also another move made by the Cubs on Thursday that would seem to suggest that another player may be on the way to join Mervis with the Major League team.

The leading theory is that Sampson will be moved to the 60-day IL, which in turn, would open another spot on the Cubs' 40-man roster. It is worth noting that the Cubs entered Thursday with their 40-man roster at 39, so there was already an open spot for Mervis. Right-handed relief pitcher Nick Burdi, who can reach 100 MPH with his fastball, has been speculated as the player that will be added to the 40-man roster and recalled to the Major League level.

For those keeping track at home, Mervis will don jersey number 22 when he makes his Major League debut this weekend.

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